Rachel Rodgers on Separation Anxiety and Rescue Dogs. Essential listening if you're adopting a dog.

If you've ever brought home a rescue dog and felt like you were failing — this episode is for you.Rachel Rodgers is a registered clinical animal behaviourist, founder of Nose to Trail, and a specialist in separation anxiety with a background spanning over 15 years in UK rescue centres including Dogs Trust and the RSPCA. In this episode, she and host Nathan Dunleavy have an honest, warm, and deeply practical conversation about why rescue dogs are more prone to SA, what the early signs really look like, and why so many cases go unrecognised or get made worse with the wrong approach. If you're navigating separation anxiety with a rescue dog, this is the episode to share.In this episode:✅ Why rescue dogs are more vulnerable to separation anxiety and what's really going on emotionally when a dog has been rehomed✅ The early warning signs of SA that most new adopters miss (including one that looks like a toilet training problem)✅ How pain and underlying health issues can masquerade as separation anxiety and why a vet referral matters more than you think✅ What the settling-in period should actually look like, and why "just leave them to cry it out" can make things significantly worse✅ How to gently build independence without causing stress from day one✅ Why working with a certified separation anxiety professional or clinical animal behaviourist is so important, and how to tell the difference✅ How to manage caregiver fatigue and find real support when you're strugglingKey takeaways:Separation anxiety in rescue dogs often has roots in broken attachment, kennel stress, and unknown history. It's not a training failure; it's an emotional responseSubtle signs like not eating, pacing, or toileting only when you're apart can be easy to miss without a camera, but they matterBefore starting any separation programme, a thorough vet check is essential; pain is a common and overlooked driver of SACaregiver fatigue is real. Building a support network of people your dog trusts isn't a luxury, it's part of the treatment plan🐾 Subscribe to The Yappy Hour for more conversations that help you understand, connect with, and care for your dog.🐕 Find ethical and qualified pet professionals near you at Yappily.co.uk